Fire-Starting Kit

ABSTRACT

A fire-starting kit. The fire-starting kit includes a housing having an open first end opposite a second end, wherein the housing includes a fan therein. A motor is disposed within the housing and is operably connected to the fan, such that the motor rotates the fan when the motor is activated. Upon activation, the fan draws air into the housing through an air intake disposed on the second end, and expels air from the first end. A nozzle extends from the open first end. A light source is disposed on the housing and can emit light towards the open first end when activated. An electric fire-starter that can ignite a fuel is secured to the housing. A fan control and a light control are each disposed on the housing, and can activate the fan and the light source, respectively, when actuated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/670,122 filed on May 11, 2018. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fire-starting kits. More particularly,the present invention pertains to a fire-starting kit including ahand-held fan operated blower device having a light source and anelectric fire-starter thereon, wherein the same can be used to igniteand stoke a fire.

Many people enjoy grilling or camping, however starting and maintain afire for a campfire, grill, or the like can be a difficult process. Inorder to properly start a fire, one requires heat, oxygen, and fuel,however, once a fire is ignited, it must be properly maintained toachieve a desired temperature or intensity for the desired purpose, suchas cooking. Additionally, inclement weather often interferes with thestarting and maintenance of a fire, as rain, snow, or the like canincrease the time and effort required to start and maintain the fire.During periods of low-light, a user may also have difficulty identifyingthe location of hot spots to stoke or fuel to ignite. Therefore, adevice that allows a user to easily start and maintain a fire in varioussurrounding conditions is desired.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theknown art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing fire-starting kits. In this regard, theinstant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types offire-starting kits now present in the known art, the present inventionprovides a fire-starting kit wherein the same can be utilized forproviding convenience for the user when igniting and stoking a fire invarious conditions.

The present system comprises a housing having an open first end oppositea second end, wherein the housing further comprises a fan therein. Amotor is disposed within the housing and is operably connected to thefan, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the fan when activated.When in an active state, the fan is configured to draw air into thehousing through an air intake disposed on the second end and expel airfrom the open first end. A nozzle extends from the open first end and isin fluid communication with the housing, such that air expelled from theopen first end passes therethrough. A light source is disposed on thehousing, wherein the light source is configured to emit light towardsthe open first end when the light source is activated. An electricfire-starter is removably securable to a lateral side of the housing,wherein the electric fire-starter is configured to ignite a fuel whenactivated. A fan control is disposed on the housing, wherein the fancontrol is configured to selectively activate the fan when the fancontrol is actuated. A light control is disposed on the housing, whereinthe light control is configured to selectively activate the light sourcewhen the light control is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the fire-startingkit.

FIG. 2A shows a close-up side view of the nozzle of an embodiment of thefire-starting kit in a collapsed position.

FIG. 2B shows a close-up side view of the nozzle of an embodiment of thefire-starting kit in an extended position.

FIG. 2C shows a close--up side view of the nozzle of an embodiment ofthe fire-starting kit in various pivotable positions.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the handle of an embodiment of thefire-starting kit.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the housing of an embodiment of thefire-starting kit.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the fire-starting kit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the fire-starting kit. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the fire-starting kit. The fire-starting kit 11 comprisesa housing 12 having an open first end 13 opposite a second end 14. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a nozzle 20 is affixed to the open first end13 such that the nozzle 20 is in fluid communication with an interior ofthe housing 12. A motor (as shown in FIG. 5, 16) is disposed within thehousing 12 and is operably connected to a fan 15, wherein the fan 15 isconfigured to draw air through an air intake 17 disposed through thesecond end 14 of the housing 12 and expel the air through the open firstend 13 and the attached nozzle 20. In some embodiments, the air intake17 comprises a plurality of openings evenly distributed across thesecond end 14, such that air can be evenly and consistently drawn intothe housing 12 via the fan 15. In this way, the user can be assured thatair delivered through the housing 12 and out of the open first end 13 ismaintained at a constant flowrate. The air can then be directed towardsa fire or ignition source, such that the user can stoke the fire byproviding a desired amount of oxygen thereto.

An electric fire-starter 25 is removably secured to the housing 12 alonga lateral side (as shown in FIG. 4, 26) thereof, wherein the electricfire-starter 25 is configured to ignite a fuel source when actuated. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the electric fire-starter 25 comprises anextended protrusion having a distal end configured to create a sparkwhen an activation switch is actuated, however, alternate methods offuel ignition are contemplated. In some embodiments, the fire-startingkit 11 further comprises a fuel brick having an accelerant therethrough,wherein the accelerant is configured to increase combustibility of thefuel brick, thereby allowing easier ignition thereof via the electricfire-starter 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, a light source 21 is removably secured tothe housing 12 along an upper side (as shown in FIG. 4, 33) thereof,wherein the light source 21 is configured to emit light when actuated.In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 21 is configured todirect light towards the nozzle 20 when actuated, such that asurrounding area is illuminated. In this way, the specific area a useris directing air expelled from the nozzle 20 towards is illuminated,allowing the user to easily visualize the area to more efficientlydirect air towards a desired location.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 12 further comprises a handle18 extending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the handle 18 isconfigured to provide a gripping surface for the user. In someembodiments, the handle 18 further comprises a textured exterior surfaceto provide increased surface area in contact with the user's hand, andthereby increase frictional engagement therewith. In an alternateembodiment, a material coating having a coefficient of friction greaterthan one is disposed over the exterior surface of the handle 18 toprovide a greater frictional engagement therewith.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, there is shown a close-up sideview of the nozzle of an embodiment of the fire-starting kit in acollapsed position, a close-up side view of the nozzle of an embodimentof the fire-starting kit in an extended position, and a close-up sideview of the nozzle of an embodiment of the fire-starting kit in variouspivotable positions, respectively. In the illustrated embodiments, thenozzle 20 comprises a first section 28 affixed to the open first end 13,and a second section 29 telescopically affixed to the first section 28.The second section 29 is configured to telescopically move within thefirst section 28 between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 2B, anda collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 2A. In the illustratedembodiments, a distal end 30 of the first section 28 is coplanar with afar end 31 of the second section 29, such that the nozzle 20 comprises aminimal form factor when the nozzle 20 is in the collapsed position. Inthis way, the user can easily store and transport the fire-starting kit.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2B, the nozzle 20 furthercomprises a tip 32 removably securable within the far end 31 of thesecond section 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the tip 32 comprisesan annular member having a lip extending orthogonally away from aninterior diameter thereof, such that the lip is removably securablewithin the far end 31. The tip 32 comprises a material having a greaterheat resistance than the material of the nozzle 20, such that the farend 31 is thermally insulated. In this way, prolonged exposure tosignificant heat does not damage the far end 31 of the nozzle 20. As thetip 32 is removably securable, the user can easily replace the tip 32should it become damaged, or if the user wishes to vary the amount ofheat resistance of the tip 32.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2C, the nozzle 20 is pivotablyconnected to the open first end 13 via a ball joint 37. In this way, theuser can easily position the nozzle 20 relative to the housing along afull 360-degree range of motion to more directly control where airexpelled from the nozzle 20 is directed. In the illustrated embodiment,the ball joint 37 further comprises an aperture 38 therethrough, whereinnozzle 20 is affixed to the ball joint 37 about the aperture 38. In thisway, the aperture 38 is configured to provide fluid communicationbetween the nozzle 20 and the housing as the nozzle 20 is pivoted.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of the handle ofan embodiment of the fire-starting kit. In the illustrated embodiment,the housing 12 further comprises a handle 18 extending perpendicularlyaway from a lower side 19 of the housing 12. In the illustratedembodiment, the handle 18 further comprises a power source 34 removablysecurable within a base 35 of the handle 18, wherein the power source 34is in electrical communication with the motor. In the shown embodiment,the power source 34 comprises a rechargeable battery, however alternatepower sources 34 are contemplated. In this way, the fire-starting kit iseasily portable and can be used in remote locations away from electricaloutlets, such as may be found when camping. Alternatively, the powersource 34 can comprise a traditional wall outlet, wherein a cordextending from the base 35 is removably securable thereto, such that themotor is in electrical communication with the power source 34.

The handle 18 comprises a plurality of controls thereon, including a fancontrol 22, a light control 23, and a potentiometer 24. In this way, thefan control 22, light control 23, and potentiometer 24 are within easyreach of the user when the fire-starting kit is in use, such that theplurality of controls can be easily actuated when desired. The fancontrol 22 is configured to activate the motor to rotate the fan whenactuated, such that air is moved through the housing 12 and expelledthrough the nozzle. The light control 23 is configured to activate thelight source when actuated, such that the area surrounding the nozzle isilluminated thereby. The potentiometer 24 is configured to vary therotation speed of the fan, such that the user can carefully control thevolumetric flowrate of air through the nozzle, such that the fire can bestoked at a desired rate.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a close-up view of the housingof an embodiment of the fire-starting kit. In the illustratedembodiment, the light source 21 is removably securable to the housing 12via a mount 36 disposed on the upper side 33 thereof. The mount 36comprises a cutout dimensioned to removably secure the light source 21therein via friction fit. In this way, the user can remove the lightsource 21 as desired to replace elements, such as light bulbs or LEDs,or to otherwise perform maintenance thereof. The mount 36 is furtherconfigured to electrically connect the light source 21 to the housing12, such that the user can control the light via the light control andprovide power thereto via the power source.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electric fire-starter 25 comprises abody having a button thereon, and a protrusion extending therefrom,wherein a distal end of the protrusion is configured to ignite a fuelsource when the button is actuated. In the illustrated embodiment, aspark is generated between a pair of prongs disposed on the distal endwhen the button is actuated, however, alternate methods of ignition arecontemplated, such as generating an open flame at the distal end. In theillustrated embodiment, the electric fire-starter 25 is removablysecurable to the housing 12 via a pair of clamps 27 disposed on alateral side 26 of the housing. The pair of clamps 27 are dimensioned tosecure the electric fire-starter therebetween via friction fit. In thisway, the user can easily remove the electric fire-starter 25 to ignite afuel source disposed at a desired location.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic view of anembodiment of the fire-starting kit. In the illustrated embodiment, thepower source 34 provides power to the motor 16 and the light source 21.A light control 23 is operably connected to the light source 21, suchthat the light source 21 is illuminated when the light control 23 isactuated. The motor 16 is operably connected to the fan control 22, suchthat the fan 15 is activated when the fan control 22 is actuated. Theuser can then vary the speed of rotation of the fan 15 via thepotentiometer 24. The potentiometer 24 is operably connected to themotor 16, such that the motor 16 outputs torque as desired by the user.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, thatdepartures may be made within the scope of the invention and thatobvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Withrespect to the above description then, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:
 1. A fire-starting kit, comprising: a housing having an openfirst end opposite a second end, wherein the housing further comprises afan therein; a motor disposed within the housing and operably connectedto the fan, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the fan whenactuated; wherein when the motor is in an active state, the fan isconfigured to draw air into the housing through an air intake disposedon the second end and expel air from the open first end; a nozzleextending from the open first end, wherein the nozzle is in fluidcommunication with the housing; a light source disposed on the housing,wherein the light source is configured to emit light towards the openfirst end when activated; an electric fire-starter removably securableto a lateral side of the housing, wherein the electric fire-starter isconfigured to ignite a fuel; a fan control disposed on the housing, thefan control configured to selectively activate the fan when the fancontrol is actuated; and a light control disposed on the housing, thelight control configured to selectively activate the light source whenthe light control is actuated.
 2. The fire-starting kit of claim 1,further comprising a potentiometer disposed on the housing, wherein thepotentiometer is configured to selectively adjust a rate of rotation ofthe fan.
 3. The fire-starting kit of claim 1, further comprising ahandle affixed to the housing at a lower side of the second end andextending perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the light control and thefan control are disposed thereon.
 4. The fire-starting kit of claim 1,further comprising a pair of clamps disposed on the lateral sideconfigured to removably secure the electric fire-starter therebetween byfriction fit.
 5. The fire-starting kit of claim 1, wherein the nozzle ispivotally adjustable about the second end.
 6. The fire-starting kit ofclaim 1, wherein the nozzle further comprises a first section affixed tothe second end and a second section telescopically affixed to the firstsection, such that the nozzle is selectively movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position.
 7. The fire-starting kit of claim 6,wherein when the nozzle is in the retracted position, a distal end ofthe second section is coplanar with a far end of the first section. 8.The fire-starting kit of claim 1, wherein a tip of the nozzle comprisesa material having a greater heat resistance than the nozzle.
 9. Thefire-starting kit of claim 8, wherein the tip is removably securable tothe nozzle.
 10. The fire-starting kit of claim 1, wherein the lightsource is removably securable to the housing.
 11. The fire-starting kitof claim 10, further comprising a mount disposed on the housing, whereinthe mount is configured to removably secure the light source thereto viafriction fit.
 12. The fire-starting kit of claim 1, wherein the lightsource is disposed on an upper side of the housing opposite the handle.13. The fire-starting kit of claim 3, further comprising a power sourceremovably securable within a base of the handle, wherein the powersource is in electrical communication with the light source and themotor.
 14. The fire-starting kit of claim 13, wherein the power sourcecomprises a rechargeable battery.
 15. The fire-starting kit of claim 1,wherein the nozzle comprises a thermally insulating material.